WORCESTER'S tourism potential is due for a major boost with the launch of the refurbished Whitehouse Hotel.

The Foregate Street hotel, formerly The Star, is undergoing a £3.5m refurbishment programme, with the first stage of the redevelopment due for completion on Thursday, December 4.

Stage one, which began in March, includes 45 luxury bedrooms and a new health and fitness club, with indoor heated pool, sauna, spa bath and steam room, and a gymnasium in the former ballroom.

The hotel - opposite Foregate Street train station - dates back to 1820 and is believed to have been the site of one of the oldest coaching inns in the country, from as far back as the 16th Century.

Over the years, various extensions were added. These have now been removed and a new building, in sympathy with the old building, has been built to the rear of the hotel.

"It's a major project," said Justin Wales, the new general manager.

"But we have remained open throughout and our customers are delighted that, at long last, Worcester will have an exceptional four-star hotel. We have had so many positive comments."

The shortage of hotels in the Faithful City is recognised by councillors as a barrier to tourism.

The number of visitors to Worcestershire fell by eight per cent between 1997 and 2000. Of the 12.9 million visitors that came to the county in 1997/98 only 11 per cent stayed over night.

Last month, the 102-bedroom Giffard Hotel closed, after operating in Worcester city centre for 36 years.

"The redeveloped Whitehouse Hotel meets the council's strategic aims to improve tourism," said Coun Simon Geraghty, deputy leader of the council.

"Hotels are desperately needed."

The Whitehouse Hotel group has three other hotels - in Manchester, Telford, and at East Midlands airport - and aims to provide a four-star service at three-star prices.

The Worcester Whitehouse Hotel is due for completion in spring 2004.

Phase two of the redevelopment will start in December, with the oldest part of the building being sectioned off for a total re-fit.

As well as individually-designed bedrooms, this section will feature a new restaurant and bar, with the latter to be called the Star Bar, in recognition of the hotel's past.